How to SHARPEN and BALANCE a lawn mower blade by hand. #14

(HD) (CC) The best way to do it by hand without the use of a grinder! An "explained" demonstration of how to properly "sharpen and balance" a lawn mower blade by hand.
0:00 Introduction and explanation.
0:30 The importance of a sharp blade.
1:32 Clean and inspect the blade for defects.
2:07 Check the balance of the blade.
3:00 What does a dull blade look like?
3:28 Clamp the blade down, and start sharpening.
4:10 Re-check for proper balance.
4:36 Some final thoughts and tips.
Check out my channel "Mysimplefix"!
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DISCLAIMER; - WARNING: This video is provided for entertainment and promotional purposes only. It is your responsibility to evaluate the accuracy, instructions and advice contained in this video. No one is liable for any loss or damage caused by your reliance on information contained in this video or in the related comments. Be safe! Anything you try will be done at YOUR OWN RISK!

[@orangeduc3129]

This is the best ever video on mower blade sharpening. Congratulations and it did save me much time. Hopefully to see more videos on lawn care. Thanks

[@mysimplefix]

Thank you for your comment! More videos are finally coming soon.

[@poetictheclown]

VERY helpful and video very well done! Thanks so much!

[@jayc3110]

An Excellent helpful demonstration, Thank you.

[@Doccraw]

Very helpful and well explained. Thanks!

[@maris6843]

This was so helpful. I had a difficult time telling when it was sharp enough, and this helped.

[@PNUfnik]

Well done and a great, helpful, concise video. Thank you!

[@mysimplefix]

Enjoy every "clean snip" of your own grass, knowing it's like that because of YOU!

[@ddfamf88]

Very nice description - thank you!

[@jessedian]

i shall now begin filing my own blades thanks to this video!

[@sridharkota4841]

very good, ty

[@mustang774]

Great video. I especially like the way you found if your blade was balanced......Take care, Bluefin.

[@mikel.laughridge9480]

thanks for the detail. It will help out!!

[@christym6128]

Thank you!

[@z1522]

Only thing to add is, when using a file, he is stroking in the proper direction, which reduces the feathering along the cutting edge that comes from filing towards the cutting edge. If a burr is felt along the edge, a few flat strokes parallel to the back side will take them off. Tough gloves are a strong advisory, as once the blade is getting sharp it is easy to hit your filing fingers on the sharp edge

[@michelletroyer5845]

This was a very well done video. Thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@mysimplefix]

Michelle Troyer Thank you!

[@insertgoodname4809]

100% sound advise.

[@andywest6250]

I agree with all the other comment. A very well done video. I like the control that comes with filing with a 10" Mill Bastard file. I have learned that many to today's files do not hold their bite so I must replace it every year and a-half to two years. Looking for a better quality file. Thank you.

[@katherinebeitle2294]

One of the best how-to videos I've seen.

[@tristanwong5543]

good job

[@lindastephens3466]

Thank you! I was advised to get a 10" Mill Bastard File to do the filing. I am still learning how but I did get the size recommended. Some people say to file down, you file up like my DH advised. I get sooo confused but at least I am learning to do it myself.

[@mcd4059]

Well Done

[@TheRitzram]

the most descriptive video on Lawn mover blade maintenance

[@mysimplefix]

Thank you so much!

[@mercurio0000]

Best video on balance and sharpening this blades. Thank you Sir! And I just subscribed to your channel.

[@mysimplefix]

+mercurio0000 thank you very much!

[@mercurio0000]

You are welcome.

[@tictaktotiki]

ditto

[@ShlisaShell]

Damn good video my friend.

[@kapowproductions1983]

Good video. My scag manual says to File the blades, grinding them can burn them and affect the heat treatment.

[@mysimplefix]

Kapow Productions Thank you!

[@billbright1755]

80 grade sander flap wheels 4" work swell. One set spare blades to keep sharp. Cone balancer works well and is inexpensive. Two blade system on one shaft works well for mulch. Just as a dull scissors won't cut so to a lawn blade. Sharp blades are the way to go and are are actually rather fun to do. The engine sails easily as well. Keep small stones and such out of grass and don't cut to low, the main culprit for dull edges. Good steel can cut millions of grass blades before starting to dull.

[@mikel.laughridge9480]

work swell? lol

[@jacobcallsen1219]

great video and thanks! what is the coarseness of the file you use or file type?

[@mysimplefix]

Hi there and thank you! Generally I've had good results utilizing a flat file that has a medium cut. This seems to work well for me.

[@SR98889]

Can you please tell me how fine of a grit the file is?

[@avisitorhere]

Great video. Do you have a favorite kind of file for this job?

[@mysimplefix]

+avisitorhere If I could suggest one thing , it would be to use a file that will allow a longer "stroke length" (longer file). Using the full length of the file while filing the blade will speed the job up dramatically.

[@SeattlePioneer]

I prefer to use a bench grinder to do the initial sharpening, finishing up with a half round file.

[@jcm9273]

What type of file do you use for this? IE: course, double cut or single cut? Thanks

[@mysimplefix]

I used a single cut smooth file for mine. Unless you need to remove a lot of material (by using a double cut), the single cut smooth option should suffice. You'd need to finish up with a single cut smooth anyways to get a good edge.

[@jcm9273]

Awesome thanks!

[@stevieb6173]

what kind of file do you use ?

[@mysimplefix]

Sorry for the late response! lol I used a single cut smooth file.

[@WatchfulHunter]

After all this, if you feel vibration from the mower handle and see it shaking while the mower is on, just buy a new blade.

[@SCfanIam100]

The right side of the blade was heavier and you didn't balance it.

[@jerem0621]

We don’t know what he did after the video cut. He clearly said that he files more until it’s in balance. I’ve spent two hours cleaning up bad blades. This video is only a few minutes long.

[@SeattlePioneer]

@@jerem0621 > If I had a blade that was badly out of balance, I'd use a grinder to quickly remove metal from the end of the blade. until it is in balance. No need to keep filing the sharp portion of the blade..